How Much Memory do I Need?

RAM for Flight Simulators

RAM is used to temporarily store information, program code and resultant data in a special area which allows the processor to access it very quickly.

Flight simulators need lots of RAM. But how much is enough?

Well, before that question is answered, you first have to decide on the operating system.

Linux and IOS are applicable to X-Plane but not to P3D or FSX. I have very little experience of these and therefore any comment I might make here would be worthless.

So now we are down to Windows 7 or Windows 10 – 32-bit version or 64-bit version.

So, if you are using the 32-bit version of Windows, the maximum RAM that the machine will see and use will be 3GB. Some motherboards will only allow the system to see 2GB. There is no point in purchasing more.

This will see and use as much RAM as you can throw at it. The more RAM you have, the more code and data you can keep in fast volatile RAM memory and the faster the machine will be. The minimum for a 64-bit operating system is 4Gb.

The Fly in the Ointment…

However, currently there is not much point in fitting a 64-bit windows system with more than 8GB of RAM if you are using FSX, P3D or FX2004 because these programs are 32-bit programs and therefore cannot use any more memory even if it is present on the computer.

If you are running X-Plane 10 or X-Plane 11 it is a totally different story. For a few years now, X-Plane has been 64-bit program. This means it can use much more RAM than the other simulators. Depending on how many add-on are installed and whether high-definition mesh is installed, the RAM requirements will vary.
I recommend at least 16GB for a budget system and 32GB for a high-end system running X-Plane. Anything less and you run the risk of throttling the frame rate of the simulator

The technical specs. of the RAM will also be determined by the CPU and the motherboard. Any modern DDR4 motherboard fitted with a high-end cpu should be able to handle DDR4-2133 RAM speeds. If you are not knowledgeable about overclocking, don’t despair – just follow the guidelines that came with your motherboard to automatically set the optimal RAM clock speed.

RAM also gets hot. Very hot. So high-performance RAM usually has a heatsink built on to each module. Gamers and overclockers often purchase special cooling fans specifically made for RAM modules.

Contact Dave Britzius

A more Realistic Flight Simulator

One PC and one monitor does not make a flight simulator seem very real. Add a second high-power PC, a few monitors, a yoke, pedals and joystick and you are much closer to the feel of a real aircraft. Now go a step further and enclose a flight simulator into a cockpit shell, surround yourself with monitors powered by a few PCs and things get interesting… Now if you want help setting all this lot up, contact me:Dave BritziusCape Town, South Africa:
Office Telephone: +27 21 558 7076
Mobile: +27 83 270 7787or much better, click here to e-mail me

Build your own Flight Simulator Cockpit?

Flight simulation is fun on a single PC, but a flight simulator cockpit can improve the experience immensely. If you are serious about virtual flying, studying for your pilot’s licence, or maintaining your PPL proficiency, you really want to consider a built-up cockpit. Take a look at my E-Book containing full instructions (many hundreds of pages) of how to build your own flight simulator cockpit. It will require basic woodworking skills and a room big enough (to get the right immersion, it has to be life-sized).